Sound Suppressing Fence

ABSTRACT

A fence ( 1 ) comprising a series of fence parts comprising a first and second pole ( 4,5,40,43,45 ) and a first and second opposing wall ( 2,3 ) extending between the first and second pole ( 4,5,40,43,45 ), thereby defining an interior space ( 9 ) for containing a sound suppressing material. The walls ( 2,3 ) comprises at least one profile ( 6,22 - 24,33 - 36 ) having opposing free ends ( 7,8 ) for engaging the first and second pole ( 4,5,40,43,45 ). Each profile ( 6,22 - 24,33 - 36 ) has a first section ( 10,25 - 27 ) facing a free end of the poles ( 4,5,40,43,45 ), the first section ( 10,25 - 27 ) extends into a second section ( 11,28 - 30 ) that is closer to the interior space ( 9 ) than the first section ( 10,25 - 27 ), each pole ( 4,5,40,43,45 ) comprises at least one assembling track ( 16 ) extending along the length of the pole ( 4,5,40,43,45 ), and the at least one assembling track ( 16 ) is configured to accommodate at least a part of the free ( 7,8 ) end of the profiles ( 6,22 - 24,33 - 36 ).

The present invention relates to a sound suppressing fence. The fencecomprises a series of fence parts comprising a first and a second poleand a first and a second opposing wall extending between the first andsecond pole, thereby defining an interior space for containing a soundsuppressing material, wherein at least one of the first or second wallcomprises at least one profile having opposing free ends for engagingthe first and second pole.

The sound suppressing fence could e.g. be placed between an occupiedhouse and a motorway, railroad, factory, airport or some other source ofunwanted sound, so that the fence can suppress the sound from the sourcetowards the house.

European patent application no. EP0843045 A discloses an acousticinsulating panel comprising a flat wall arranged between vertical rods.Each wall comprises a number of identical panels placed on top of eachother, and each panel is on one side provided with a number of opencompartments for housing a sound-absorbing material. Afterwards thesound absorbing material has to be inserting into all the opencompartments in each panel. The main disadvantage of this known panel isthat the process of adding the sound-suppressing material is a timeconsuming process.

In a first aspect according to the present invention is provided a fenceof the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph having an interior spacecapable of receiving and retaining a sound suppressing material in aneasy and inexpensive way and at the same time provide a fence with anaesthetic outer appearance.

In a second aspect according to the present invention is provided afence of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph where the fence hasa simple and cost-effective construction.

In a third aspect according to the present invention is provided a fenceof the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph where the fence parts canbe assembled in an easy and inexpensive way.

In a fourth aspect according to the present invention is provided afence of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph where one wall ofthe fence can be changed independently of the other wall.

In a fifth aspect according to the present invention is provided a fenceof the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph where the profiles can bestacked in a way that reduces the required space during storage andtransporting.

The novel and unique way whereby this is achieved according to thepresent invention is that the at least one profile has a first sectionfacing a free end of the poles, the first section extends into a secondsection that is closer to the interior space than the first section,each pole comprises at least one assembling track extending along thelength of the pole, and the at least one assembling track is configuredto accommodate at least a part of the free end of the profiles.

The assembling track provides for each profile to be assembled with thepoles in an easy and reliable manner, because the assembling track andthe at least part of the free end of the profile are configured so thatthey fit each other when brought together.

After having assembled two opposing walls, the interior space can in avery simple manner be filled with the sound suppressing material fromone direction and in a single operation. That is in the direction fromthe free ends of the poles towards the base of the fence.

It is advantageously that the assembling track 5 extends along the poleto allow the profile to be assembled with the pole at any given locationalong the assembling track. Even further advantageously the assemblingtrack can be used to assemble a wall with a mutual distance between theprofiles, while at the same time provide an interior space between twoopposing walls, where the interior space is capable of retaining thesound suppressing material. The retention of the sound suppressingmaterial is possible because the second section of each profile iscloser to the interior space than the first section, so that the insideof the fence resembles a number of communicating funnels with one funnelafter the other in the direction from the free ends of the poles towardsthe base of the fence.

At the same time a fence with an aesthetic outer appearance can beobtained if e.g. the sound suppressing material is soil and plantsextends from the opening between the mutually spaced profiles in a wall.

In a preferred embodiment the first section may define a first plane andthe second section defines a second plane which is offset towards thecenter of the interior space in relation to the first plane. Whilemaintaining the above-mentioned funnel effect, the first section has theeffect that the outside surfaces of the first sections can resemble aclosed wall even if the profiles in a wall are placed with mutualdistance.

In a preferred embodiment each profile may comprise at least one firstassembling means defined at each free end of the profile, where the atleast one assembling track and the at least one first assembling meansare complementary shaped. The advantage is that each profile can beassembled with the poles in a more simple, reliable and secure way,because complementary shapes provides a maximum contact area between thefirst and second assembling means.

Each pole may preferably comprise a central bar defining the distancebetween the first and second wall and having a first end facing asupport face and a second opposing end, at least two protruding membersprotruding towards each adjacent pole, each protruding member extendsalong at least a part of the length of the pole, and the at least oneassembling track is defined at the intersection between the central barand the protruding members.

In a typical straight fence according to the invention the at least twoprotruding members can protrude in parallel directions along the lengthof the fence, while the distance between the two protruding membersdefines the maximum width of the interior space between the walls.

Advantageously at least the first section of each profile may bedetachably secured to the poles by means of engagement means orattachment means, each pole comprises at least one second assemblingmeans extending along the length of the pole, a first part of theengagement means or attachment means is accommodated in the at least onesecond assembling means in the secured state, and a second part of theengagement or attachment means abuts the free end of the profile whenthe profile is secured to the poles.

In this way it is possible to detachably assemble the profiles with thepoles without penetrating the profiles or the poles, because the firstpart of the engagement means or attachment means can slide in the secondassembling means on the pole while the second part abuts the profile andthereby apply a force to the profile in the direction towards the pole,where the applied force serves for squeezing the profile towards thepole and thereby detachably assemble the profile with the pole.

The advantage of not penetrating the profiles and poles by any kind ofattachment means, such as screws, is that the resulting holes couldallow dirt and humidity to enter into the profiles and poles and therebyreduce the durability of the fence. Due to the detachable securing thelongitudinal position of a profile in relation to the poles can easilybe changed or a profile can easily be replaced if desired, e.g. if theprofile is damaged.

In a preferred embodiment the at least one second assembling means maybe a T-slot, notch or groove, which can be made very easily andinexpensively in a pole in the same process as when manufacturing thepole. Thus no features are to be added to the pole and the secondassembling means are an integrated part of the pole.

In a preferred embodiment both the first section and the second sectionat each free end of the profiles may be detachably secured to the polesby means of the engagement means or attachment means and the at leastone second assembling means.

By securing each free end of the profiles to a pole at two separatelocations is provided a more reliable and durable assembly than if onlythe first section or only the second section is assembled with the pole.This is especially import if the profiles are relatively long and/or ifthe sound suppressing material exerts a substantially pressure force onthe profiles in the direction away from the fence.

In a preferred embodiment opposing profiles may be detachably connectedby at least one connection member. The sound suppressing material willexert a pressure force on the profiles in the direction away from thefence, substantially orthogonal to the plane of the walls. The pressureforce can be counteracted by the at least one connection member andthereby making the fence more stable and reliable. The connectionmembers can preferably be placed evenly distributed along the assembledprofiles. Especially the middle part of two opposing profiles can bestabilized by placing a connection member substantially midway betweenthe two poles.

In a preferred embodiment each connection member may comprise at leastone third assembling means defined at each free end of the connectionmember, each profile comprises at least one fourth assembling meansextending along the length of the profile, the third and fourthassembling means are complementary shaped, and opposing profiles aredetachably connected via the third and fourth assembling means. Thethird and fourth assembling means facilitates an easy installation ofthe connection members at any desired location along the length of theopposing profiles. The complementary shapes provide a maximum contactarea resulting in a more simple, reliable and secure fence, and at thesame time the connection members can even be repositioned along theprofiles after the fence is assembled by sliding them along the fourthassembling means.

In a preferred embodiment the connection member may be shaped as aplate, the third assembling means is T-shaped and the fourth assemblingmeans is a T-slot. This means that the connection member can easily beinserted into the T-slots of two opposing profiles, even when theprofiles already are assembled with the poles, and then turnedsubstantially 90 degrees around the longitudinal axis of the connectionmember into the final locked position. When filling the soundsuppressing material into the interior space between the walls, thematerial will exert forces in different directions on the alreadyinstalled connection members. Unwanted movement of the connectionmembers in this situation is counteracted due to the connection memberslocked position.

In a preferred embodiment the at least one connection member may connectopposing profiles from the first and second wall using the third andfourth assembling means, and opposing profiles along the length of thepoles using fifth assembling means on the connection member. This meansthat a connection member cannot only connect opposing profiles of twoopposing walls but at the same time also provide a connection betweentwo neighboring profiles of a wall, and thereby provide a furtherstabilization of the fence. Preferably the fifth assembling meanscomprises two indentations into which the lower part of the secondsection of the two relevant profiles fits into.

In a preferred embodiment the cross section of the at least one profilemay be substantially S-formed or Z-formed. These shapes have theadvantages that the profiles when assembled provides the above-mentionedfunnel effect, that the profiles can be stacked in a way that reducesthe required space during storage and transporting and at the same timecan be extruded.

In a preferred embodiment the at least one profile's surface facing awayfrom the fence may have a sound reducing shape and/or is covered with asound reducing material so that the fence can provide an even furthersound suppressing effect.

In a preferred embodiment the at least one profile's surface facing awayfrom the fence may have a different form, color or be coated in anotherway than the profile's opposite surface facing toward the interior ofthe fence. Using identical profiles having one outer appearance (form,color or coating) on one surface and another outer appearance (form,color or coating) on the other surface, it is possible to choose whichof these two appearances is desired on the surface facing away from thefence. Hereby it is possible to give the end user two differentappearances to choose from without having to produce two batches ofprofiles.

In a preferred embodiment the poles and/or the profiles may be extrudedand/or made from composite material, preferably composed of 30% wood and70% plastic. Extruded elements naturally have many manufacturingadvantages. Additionally it is very easier to construct the fence whenthe poles are symmetric in the extruded direction, because both ends ofan extruded pole can be used as a free end. Generally, compositematerials are engineered materials made from two or more components withdifferent physical or chemical properties, and possible also one or moreadditives such as e.g. a coupling agent that improves the compatibilitybetween the components, lubricants, colorants, heat stabilizers, orphotostabilizers. The mixture can be moulded or extruded into a complexform, to obtain a strong and coherent composite material withexceptional physical, mechanical and chemical properties.

Wood fiber composites normally resemble aluminium in dimensionalstability, look and feel like natural wood, are paintable and stainable,are resistance to rot and heat, have low moisture absorption, havedensity strength higher than normal wood, have lower costs, and havesuperior flexural strength.

In a preferred embodiment the interior space of the fence may be dividedinto two separate interior spaces by means of a interior partition wallextending between the first and second pole. This means that these twospaces can be filled with different sound suppressing materials if it isdesired to construct a fence having different characteristics on eitherside, and that each of these two spaces can be filled from one directionand in a single operation.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a section of a fence according to thepresent invention seen oblique from above,

FIG. 2 is a perspective fragmentary view of four profiles shown ready tobe assembled according to the present invention,

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the pole shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line V-V in FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 illustrates the encircled detail of the assembling of a pole withprofiles as shown FIG. 1 in an enlarged scale,

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 6,

FIG. 8 corresponds to FIG. 6 but shows an alternative embodiment of theengagement means or attachment means,

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 8 showing apart of the profile and a part of the pole 4,

FIG. 10 shows an exploded view of the engagement or attachment meansshown in FIG. 8,

FIG. 11 a, 11 b and 11 c are sectional views of different embodiments ofprofiles according to the present invention,

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a connection member according to thepresent invention,

FIG. 13 is a perspective fragmentary view of four profiles connected bythe connection member shown in FIG. 12,

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. 13,

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a pole and aprofile according to the present invention,

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along line XVI-XVI of FIG. 15,

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a poleaccording to the present invention,

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along line XVIII-XVIII in FIG. 17,

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a poleaccording to the present invention,

FIG. 20 is a sectional view taken along line XX-XX in FIG. 19,

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the pole shown in FIG. 1 and an endpiece according to the present invention, shown in the unassembledposition,

FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken along line XXII-XXI in FIG. 21,

FIG. 23 shows the pole and end piece of FIG. 21 but in the assembledposition,

FIG. 24 is a sectional view taken along line XXIV-XXIV in FIG. 23,

FIG. 25 is similar to FIG. 14, but with a second embodiment of aconnection element,

FIG. 26 is a cross section view of an embodiment of a profile member,

FIG. 27 is a detail view according to the circle XXVII in FIG. 26, and

FIG. 28 is a detail view of the end of the connection element shown inFIG. 25.

The invention is described below under the assumption that the fence isconstructed on vertical ground and that the poles are rising verticalfrom the ground. It is however within the scope of the invention thatthe poles could also be rising from the ground in a non-vertical angleor the ground could be uneven.

The invention is not limited to the shown shapes of the poles and theprofiles as will become more clear in the below description.

FIG. 1 shows a part of a fence where the fence is designated in generalby the reference numeral 1. A first wall 2 and a second wall 3 areopposing each other and extending between a first pole 4 and a secondpole 5. From the second pole 5 extends another set of walls 2,3 towardsa third pole (not shown), and the fence continues in this way with thedesired number of poles. Each wall 2,3 has ten profiles 6 havingopposite free ends 7,8 engaging the two belonging poles 4,5. Any othernumber of profiles 6 in a wall 2,3 could also be used. For eachneighboring pair of poles 4,5 an interior space 9 is defined between thepoles and the two walls 2,3, which space is filled with a soundsuppressing material (not shown). Each profile 6 has a first section 10extending along the length of the profile 6. When assembled, the firstsection 10 faces a free end 12 of the poles 4,5 and extends towards thebase 13 of the poles 4,5 into a second section 11.

Each pole 4,5 can e.g. be held in place by simply digging its lower partinto the ground. Alternatively a concrete block can be inserted into theground, the block having an aperture configured for receiving the lowerpart of the pole 4,5.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show in an enlarged scale the shape of the profiles 6 fromFIG. 1. When looking at two opposing profiles 6 from each their wall2,3—the distance A between their opposing first sections 10 is largerthan the distance B between their opposing second sections 11, whichprovides the earlier mentioned resemblance with a funnel. Access to thesound suppressing material is provided through the openings 17 betweenthe profiles 6 in the wall 2,3.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show further details of the poles 4,5 from FIG. 1.Especially is it clearly shown that the poles 4,5 have a central bar 14with two protruding members 15 a,15 b,15 c,15 d at each end of the bar14. The poles 4,5 are shaped with right angles between the central bar14 and the protruding members 15 a,15 b,15 c,15 d. It is at and aroundthis transition between the central bar 14 and the protruding members 15a,15 b,15 c,15 d that the four assembling tracks 16 on the poles 4,5 aredefined, where the assembling tracks 16 extends along the pole 4,5 fromits free end 12 to its base 13.

The outer surface of the profile 6 at each free end 7,8 of the firstsection 10 is complementary shaped in relation to the shape of theassembling tracks 16, which means that it is easy to slide the profile 6along the assembling tracks 16 into the desired longitudinal position onthe poles 4,5 and to detachably secure it. This assembling is verysecure and reliable since the shapes are complementary as in theembodiment shown in the figures.

The distance C (shown in FIG. 3) between the outer surfaces of twoopposing profiles 6 from each their wall 2,3 is the same as the distanceC (shown in FIG. 5) between opposing protruding members 15 c,15 d ateach their end of the central bar 14. Increasing the distance C, e.g. bymaking the central bar 14 longer, provides room for more soundsuppressing material and therefore a more effective suppression of thesound by the fence 1.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show how each profile 6 can be detachably secured to theneighboring poles 4,5 by means of the engagement means 18. First theprofile 6 is positioned so that it engage the poles 4,5 at the desiredlocation along the assembling track, then it is detachably secured tothe poles 4 by means of the engagement means 18 and the secondassembling means 21 (shown 13 e.g. in FIG. 4-5) on each protrudingmember 15 a,15 b,15 c,15 d.

The engagement means 18 has a first part 19 that is T-shaped and isinserted into the second assembling means 21, where it is inserted inthe direction from the free end 12 towards the base 13 of the pole 4until the engagement means 18 engages with the profile 6. The detachablysecuring is achieved since the second part 20 of the engagement means 18provides a force on the first section 10 of the profiles 6 in thedirection towards the protruding member 15 a, 15 c that it is securedto.

In FIGS. 6 and 7 the profiles 6 are positioned so that their topsurfaces are made to flush with the top surface of the pole 4, whichmeans that the first parts 19 are not totally inserted into the secondassembling means 21. The position of the profiles 6 that are closest tothe free end 12 of the poles could also be lowered so that the firstpart 19 of the engagement means 18 would be totally inserted into thesecond assembling means 21, and thereby provide a larger contact betweenthe first part 19 and the second assembling means 21.

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 show an alternative embodiment of the engagement means49 comprising an at least partly threaded rod 50 with a head 51, anengagement part 52, and a tightening part 53 with a threaded hole (e.g.a nut). The rod 50 and the tightening part 53 are shown without beingthreaded. To the right in FIG. 8 is the engagement means 49 shown in anassembled position with the protruding member 15 c, to the left is theengagement means 49 absent. In this alternative embodiment theengagement part 52 is provided with a through going bore 54, said bore54 being adapted to receive the rod 50. The head 51 has a shape that iscomplementary to the shape of the second assembling means 21, e.g. theshape shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. When assembled the head 51 is located inthe second assembling means 21 and the rod 50 is going through the bore54 and projecting from the side of the engagement part 52 facing awayfrom the protruding member 15 c. The width w (shown 14 in FIG. 10) ofthe part of the engagement part 52 that abuts the pole 4 are wider thanthe width of the second assembling means 21 at contacting surfacebetween engagement part 52 and the pole 4. The detachable securing ofthe profile 6 to the pole 4 is obtained by screwing the tightening 5part 53 onto the projecting part 52 until the engagement part 52 appliesa suitable force on the profile 6 in the direction towards theprotruding member 15 c. The profile 6 can be removed by simplyunscrewing the tightening part 53 and if desired moved to anotherlocation along the pole 4,5 and secured at this location.

The shape of the second assembling means 21 is not limited to being aT-slot, any other shape is possible as long as the 15 engagement orattachment means 18,49 is restrained from moving towards the interior ofthe fence 1 when inserted into the second assembling means 21. The shapecould e.g. also be a dove tail.

A wall 2,3 is build by first positioning the two poles 4,5 on theground; secondly securing the profile 6 closest to the base 13 of thepole 4,5 with one engagement means 18,49 at each free end 7,8 of theprofile 6; and then thirdly securing one profile 6 at the time untilfinishing off with the profile 6 closest to the free ends 12 of thepoles 4,5. The openings 17 between the profiles 6 facilitate room forthe engagement means 18,49.

FIGS. 11 a, 11 b and 11 c show different embodiments of the profiles22,23,24 all a first section 25,26,27, respectively, to be attached tothe poles 4,5 and extending into a second section 28,29,30,respectively, closer to the interior space 9 in the assembled state.

FIG. 12 shows a connection member 31 with a protruding third T shapedassembling means 32 at each short free end. FIGS. 13 and 14 show theconnection member 31 in the final position where it is used todetachably connect two opposing profiles 33,34 from each their wall 2,3.This connection can be obtained by inserting the third assembling means32 into the fourth assembling means 37, such as complementary shapedtracks 37, on the corresponding profiles 33,34, and then sliding theconnection member 32 along the profiles 33,34 into a desired position.In a preferred embodiment the third assembling means 32 and fourthassembling means 37 are complementary shaped, but the shape of thefourth assembling means 37 is not limited to the shown T-slot shape, asany other shape is within the scope of the invention as long as theforce exerted on the profiles 33,34 by the sound suppressing material inthe direction away from the fence 1 is counteracted by the connectionmember 31. The shape of the fourth assembling means 37 could e.g. alsobe a dove tail.

In FIGS. 12-14 the connection member 31 also has two indentations 38 inthe side of the connection member 31 that faces the two neighboringprofiles 35,36 towards the free ends 12 of the poles 4,5. Theindentations 38 are made so that they align with the lower part 39 (seeFIG. 13) of the second section 11 of both neighboring profiles 35,36 inthe assembled state of the fence 1. Hereby is provided a stabilizationof the second section 11 of the profiles 6. This becomes more importantthe longer the distance between the first 10 and second 11 section of aprofile 6 is. The shape of the indentations 38 is preferablycomplementary to the shapes of the lower parts 39. It should be notedthat the stabilization is both in the vertical and the horizontaldirection in this case due to the indentations. It could also beimagined that no indentations are provided and that the bottom of theprofile just rests on the top of the connection member.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show an alternative embodiment of the pole 40 where thebar 14 in addition to the two protruding members 15 a,15 b,15 c,15 d ateach end also have two centrally protruding members 41. Each centrallyprotruding member 41 has two second assembling means 42 extending alongthe pole 40. With this embodiment both the first section 10 and thesecond section 11 of the profiles 6 can be detachably secured to thepoles 40 by means of the engagement or attachment means 18,49 (not shownin FIGS. 15 and 16). The free ends 7,8 of the profiles 6 are in this waysecured to the pole 40 by securing the first section 10 to a protrudingmember 15 a,15 b,15 c,15 d at the end of the bar 14 as described earlierin connection with FIGS. 6-10. At the same time the second section 11 issecured to the neighboring protruding member 41 at the center of the bar14 by means of the engagement means 18,49 with a first part 19,51inserted into the second assembling means 42 shaped as a T-slot and thesecond part 20,52 of the engagement means 18,49 provides a force on thesecond section 11 of the profile 6 in the direction towards theprotruding member 41 that it is secured to.

FIG. 15 shows how a part of the free end 8 of a profile 6 isaccommodated in the assembling track 16 at the intersection between thebar 14 and the protruding member 15 c while another part of the free end8 is accommodated in the assembling track 16 at the intersection betweenthe bar 14 and the central protruding member 41. In this embodiment thepole 40 has a total of eight assembling tracks for receiving a total offour profiles. The engagement or attachment means 18,49 are not shown inFIG. 15.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show an alternative embodiment of the pole 43 used toprovide a bend of 900 in the fence 1. The fence 1 extends in thedirections along the arrows D and E, where two parallel walls in thedirection along the arrow D are secured to the protruding members 44c,44 d and two parallel walls in the direction along the arrow E aresecured to the protruding members 44 a,44 b.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show an alternative embodiment of the pole 45 used toprovide a bend of 135 degrees in the fence 1. The fence 1 extends in thedirections along the arrows F and G, where two parallel walls in thedirection along the arrow F are secured to the protruding members 46c,46 d and two parallel walls in the direction along the arrow G aresecured to the protruding members 46 a,46 b. Other angles between 180degrees (straight fence) and 90 degrees or even below are naturally alsopossible.

FIGS. 21-24 show how the ends of the fence can be terminated by means ofan end piece 47 assembled with the pole 4 at the end of the fence. Theend piece 47 is provided with longitudinal extending sixth assemblingmeans 48, which is complementary shaped in relation to the secondassembling means 21. This means that the end piece 47 can be assembledwith any of the poles 4,5,40 shown in FIGS. 4-5 and 15-20. FIGS. 23-24show a pole 4 assembled with an end piece 47 where the fence 1 extendsin the direction of the arrow G.

FIG. 25 is for the most part the same as FIG. 14, hence the samereference numerals will be used. The only difference is that theconnection member 100 shown in FIG. 25 is different to the connectionmember 31 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 14. In the embodiment as shownin FIG. 25, the connection member is formed such that the fifthassembling means 38 are lowered in comparison to the embodiment shown inFIG. 14. In this current embodiment, the connection member is U shapedwith the T-shaped flanges 32 and the T-shaped grooves 37 (the third andfourth assembling means) being arranged above the grooves 38 (fifthassembling means) on the connection member. As before, the connectionmember 100 is plate shaped.

Due to the placement of the fifth assembling means in relation to thethird and fourth assembling means, when a vertical force is applied tothe connection member via the bottom 39 of the profiles 35,36, then themoment which the force exerts on the connection member will force theconnection member to remain in its upright position. In contrast, in theembodiment shown in FIG. 14, the moment exerted by the force could causethe connection member to rotate along its longitudinal axis and therebydisconnect the third and fourth assembling means. By forming theconnection member 100 as shown in FIG. 25, the connection member will bemore stable and allow the connection member to support larger forces. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 25, the connection member 25 also hasgrooves 38 which stabilize the ends of the profiles, both in thevertical and in the horizontal direction. However, within the scope ofthe invention, the connection member 25 could provide a connection tothe profile members above it without the grooves, i.e. by only providinga support surface. In this way, the ends of the profile members are onlystabilized in the vertical direction and not in the horizontaldirection.

FIG. 26 shows an embodiment 110 of a profile member which is suitablefor use in the fence according to the current invention. In thisparticular example, the height of the profile member is about 30 cm. Theprofile is made from a composite material made from bamboo powder andrecycled plastics. Hollow sections 111 are provided to reduce the weightand material usage. Small grooves 112 are provided on the outer surfaceof the profile element for cosmetic reasons.

FIG. 27 shows a detailed view of the top portion of the T-shaped grooveof the profile 110 of FIG. 26. As can be seen a small recess 115 isprovided which goes along the entire length of the profile member. Acorresponding protrusion 116 on the connection member 100 as shown inFIGS. 25 and 28 will “click” into this recess 115 when the connectionmember is assembled with the profile. This will both give an audiblesignal to the person assembling the fence that the connection member iscorrectly placed as well as give a more secure connection between theconnection member and the profile member.

Profiles having a symmetric shape, such as the ones show in FIG. 11 aand 11 b, have the advantage that they can be stacked such that lessspace is required during storage and transporting.

Combinations of the exemplary assembling and engagement means areforeseen within the scope of the present invention to provide a new andunique appearance of a sound suppressing fence which is very easy andinexpensive to manufacture and erect, and does not take much spaceduring storage.

1. A fence (1) comprising a series of fence parts comprising a first anda second pole (4,5,40,43,45) and a first and a second opposing wall(2,3) extending between the first and second pole (4,5,40,43,45),thereby defining an interior space (9) for containing a soundsuppressing material, wherein the first and second wall (2,3) eachcomprise at least two profiles (6,22-24,33-36) arranged one on top ofthe other having opposing free ends (7,8) for engaging the first andsecond pole (4,5,40,43,45), the at least four profiles (6,22-24,33-36)have a first section (10,25-27) facing a free end of the poles(4,5,40,43,45), the first section (10,25-27) extends into a secondsection (11,28-30) that is closer to the interior space (9) than thefirst section (10,25-27), each pole (4,5,40,43,45) comprises at leastone assembling track (16) extending along the length of the pole(4,5,40,43,45), and the at least one assembling track (16) is configuredto accommodate at least a part of the free (7,8) end of the profiles(6,22-24,33-36), characterized in that said at least two profiles ofsaid first wall are arranged opposing said at least two profiles of saidsecond wall and that the opposing profiles (6,22-24,33-36) aredetachably connected by at least one connection member (31), eachconnection member (31) comprises at least one third assembling means(32) defined at each free end of the connection member (31), eachprofile (6,22-24,33-36) comprises at least one fourth assembling means(37) extending along the length of the profile (6,22-24,33-36), thethird and fourth assembling means (32,37) are complementary shaped,opposing profiles (6,22-24,33-36) are detachably connected via the thirdand fourth assembling means (32,37), and opposing profiles(6,22-24,33-36) along the length of the poles (4,5,40,43,45) areconnected using fifth assembling means (38) on the connection member(31) to provide stabilization to the second section of the profiles inthe vertical direction.
 2. A fence (1) according to claim 1,characterized in that each profile (6,22-24,33-36) comprises at leastone first assembling means defined at each free end (7,8) of the profile(6,22-24,33-36), where the at least one assembling track (16) and the atleast one first assembling means are complementary shaped.
 3. A fence(1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each pole (4,5,40,43,45)comprises a central bar (14) defining the distance between the first andsecond wall (2,3) and having a first end facing a support face and asecond opposing end, at least two protruding members (15 a-15 d,41,44a-44 b,46 a-46 d) protruding towards each adjacent pole (4,5,40,43,45)and defining the starting point of the first and second wall (2,3)respectively, each protruding member (15 a-15 d,5 41,44 a-44 b,46 a-46d) extends along at least a part of the length of the pole(4,5,40,43,45), and the at least one assembling track (16) is defined atthe intersection between the central part/bar (14) and the protrudingmembers (15 a-15 d,41,44 a-44 b,46 a-46 d).
 4. A fence (1) according toclaim 1, characterized in that at least the first section (10,25-27) ofeach profile (6,22-24,33-36) is detachably secured to the poles(4,5,40,43,45) by means of engagement or attachment means (18,49), eachpole (4,5,40,43,45) comprises at least one second assembling means(21,42) extending along the length of the pole (4,5,40,43,45), a firstpart (19,51) of the engagement or attachment means (18,49) isaccommodated in the at least one second assembling means (21,42) in thesecured state, and a second part (20,52) of the engagement or attachmentmeans (18,49) abuts the free end of the profile (6,22-24,33-36) in thesecured state.
 5. A fence (1) according to claim 4, characterized inthat the at least one second assembling means (21,42) is a T-slot, notchor groove.
 6. A fence (1) according to claim 4, characterized in thatboth the first section (10,25-27) and the second section (11,28-30) ofeach profile (6,22-24,33-36) are detachably secured to the poles(4,5,40,43,45) by means of the engagement or attachment means (18,49)and the at least one second assembling means (21,42).
 7. A fence (1)according to any one of claim 1, characterized in that the connectionmember (31) is shaped as a plate.
 8. A fence (1) according to claim 7,characterized in that the third assembling means (23) are T-shaped andthe fourth assembling means (37) is a T-slot.
 9. A fence (1) accordingto any one of claim 1, characterized in that said fifth assembling means(38) are slots/grooves in which the lower ends of the profiles arearranged.
 10. A fence (1) according to any one of claim 1, characterizedin that the connection member is arranged such that the connectionbetween the profile members and the fifth assembling means (38) islocated below the connection between the third and fourth assemblingmeans (32, 37).
 11. A fence (1) according to claim 1, characterized inthat the cross section of the at least one profile (6,22-24,33-36) issubstantially S-formed or Z-formed.
 12. A fence (1) according to claim1, characterized in that the at least one profile's (6,22-24,33-36)surface facing away from the fence (1) has a sound reducing shape and/oris covered with a sound reducing material.
 13. A fence (1) according toclaim 1, characterized in that the at least one profile's(6,22-24,33-36) surface facing away from the fence (1) is different thatthe profile's (6,22-24,33-36) opposite surface facing toward theinterior of the fence (1).
 14. A fence (1) according to claim 1,characterized in that the poles (4,5,40,43,45) and/or the profiles(6,22-24,33-36) are extruded, and preferably made from compositematerial, preferably with 30% wood and 70% plastic.
 15. A fence (1)according to claim 1, characterized in that the interior space (9) ofthe fence (1) is divided into two separate interior spaces by means ofan interior partition wall extending along the fence (1).
 16. A fence(1) comprising a series of fence parts comprising a first and a secondpole (4,5,40,43,45) and a first and a second opposing wall (2,3)extending between the first and second pole (4,5,40,43,45), therebydefining an interior space (9) for containing a sound suppressingmaterial, wherein the first and second wall (2,3) each comprise at leasttwo profiles (6,22-24,33-36) arranged one on top of the other havingopposing free ends (7,8) for engaging the first and second pole(4,5,40,43,45), the at least four profiles (6,22-24,33-36) have a firstsection (10,25-27) facing a free end of the poles (4,5,40,43,45), thefirst section (10,25-27) extends into a second section (11,28-30) thatis closer to the interior space (9) than the first section (10,25-27),each pole (4,5,40,43,45) comprises at least one assembling track (16)extending along the length of the pole (4,5,40,43,45), and the at leastone assembling track (16) is configured to accommodate at least a partof the free (7,8) end of the profiles (6,22-24,33-36), characterized inthat said at least two profiles of said first wall are arranged opposingsaid at least two profiles of said second wall and that the opposingprofiles (6,22-24,33-36) are detachably connected by at least oneconnection member (31), each connection member (31) comprises at leastone third assembling means (32) defined at each free end of theconnection member (31), each profile (6,22-24,33-36) comprises at leastone fourth assembling means (37) extending along the length of theprofile (6,22-24,33-36), the third and fourth assembling means (32,37)are complementary shaped, opposing profiles (6,22-24,33-36) aredetachably connected via the third and fourth assembling means (32,37),opposing profiles (6,22-24,33-36) along the length of the poles(4,5,40,43,45) are connected using fifth assembling means (38) on theconnection member (31) to provide stabilization to the second section ofthe profiles in the vertical direction, the connection member (31) isshaped as a plate, and the connection member is arranged such that theconnection between the profile members and the fifth assembling means(38) is located below the connection between the third and fourthassembling means (32, 37).
 17. A fence (1) according to claim 16,characterized in that the third assembling means (23) are T-shaped andthe fourth assembling means (37) is a T-slot.
 18. A fence (1) accordingto claim 16, characterized in that said fifth assembling means (38) areslots/grooves in which the lower ends of the profiles are arranged. 19.A fence (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that said fifthassembling means (38) are slots/grooves in which the lower ends of theprofiles are arranged.